Opposing-Membrane Speaker Unit for Compact Linear Excursion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speaker units, particularly those with coaxial cone-shaped membranes, are not suitable for smaller loudspeaker systems due to their design, and planar type units lack compactness and linear membrane movement.
Innovation Solution
A speaker unit design featuring two opposing membranes with drive units and suspensions positioned to allow linear movement without internal interference, utilizing a sealing edge suspension and spider arm suspension to maintain compactness and prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coaxial cone-shaped speaker membrane and membrane driver are used, then high performance and fidelity are achieved, but the design is not suitable for smaller loudspeaker systems due to size constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional coaxial three-dimensional arrangement to a planar two-dimensional configuration. The speaker membrane and membrane drivers are arranged in substantially the same plane, eliminating the need for axial depth and enabling compact small-scale speaker designs while preserving acoustic performance through distributed driver placement across the membrane surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the membrane drivers from the traditional coaxial position behind the membrane and redistributes them across the membrane surface in a planar arrangement. This extraction allows the drivers to be positioned optimally for each acoustic zone while maintaining overall compactness and enabling the speaker to function effectively in space-constrained applications.
2Shape
If planar type speaker membrane with multiple membrane drivers is used, then flatter loudspeaker design is achieved, but linear response characteristic may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the speaker system into multiple independent membrane drivers distributed across the membrane surface, with each driver responsible for a specific acoustic zone. This segmentation allows each driver to operate within its optimal linear range while collectively producing accurate full-range sound, preventing the non-linear distortions that can occur in single-driver systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent assigns different membrane drivers to different acoustic zones of the speaker membrane, with each driver optimized for its specific region. This local quality approach ensures that each zone contributes appropriately to the overall frequency response, maintaining linear characteristics across the entire membrane surface while preserving the flat planar design.
3Volume of moving object
If compact speaker design is implemented, then smaller dimensions are achieved, but internal components may interfere with membrane movement
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging all critical components—the membrane drivers, suspension system, and sealing edges—in a substantially planar configuration, the patent eliminates the need for significant axial clearance. This two-dimensional layout allows compact packaging while ensuring unobstructed membrane movement, as no components protrude into the membrane's excursion path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the sealing edge suspension is positioned within the drive unit structure, and the spider arm suspension connects the voice coil to the frame without interfering with membrane motion. This nested configuration maximizes space utilization in compact dimensions while maintaining complete freedom of membrane movement through carefully orchestrated component layering.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves a compact and linear response characteristic, ensuring efficient membrane movement without internal collisions, suitable for smaller loudspeaker systems.
Implementation Method 1
each drive unit comprising a driver static part and a driver moving part, the driver moving part being fixedly connected to the associated one of the two opposing membranes
Implementation Method 2
a spider arm suspension connected on one side to the associated driver moving part and on another side to the speaker frame for suspending the driver moving part to the speaker frame in a flexible manner
Implementation Method 3
Each of the two opposing membranes are provided with a sealing edge suspension connected to a perimeter of the associated membrane and to the major front surface and major back surface, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
A speaker unit with a speaker frame and two opposing membranes each being arranged to move up and down along a main speaker axis. Two drive units are present for each membrane, having a driver static part and a driver moving part. A sealing edge suspension is connected to a perimeter of the associated membrane and to the major front surface and major back surface of the speaker unit, respectively. For each driver moving part, a spider arm suspension is present for suspending the driver moving part to the speaker frame in a flexible manner. The sealing edge suspension is at least partially positioned above the associated drive units when viewed in a direction parallel to the main speaker axis.